2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL: So according to KBB.com the Good Trade in Value is $1700 and Fair is $1125 so maybe I am around $1500. Now private party says $3225 and Fair is $2525, let’s keep being reasonable and say $2875 as private party we won’t use retail because this car is not in excellent condition.

How about Edmunds? A little different process here comes up with $2734 as a trade in $3752 as a private party, same thing here retail seems a bit high.

So KBB average with my adjustments is $2187.50 and Edmunds is $3243 that is about a $1000 difference.

It is your means to get around town, to work, to play to kids activities. it is worth a lot to you but what is it worth to an insurance company? The cost to repair a car is going up so if your car is older you need to keep in mind that if the cost to repair your car is more than the value of the car it may not get fixed. Now what is the car actually worth in dollars? It may not be as much as you want.

Well most people see their family doctor once a year for a checkup. Most people do their taxes each year and have a review with their accountant. If you have health insurance you probably review that at open enrollment each year. As part of a sound financial plan all of your insurances should be reviewed each year. Why? Are your discounts and coverage adequate? Could you do better? Is your personal information up to date?

If given the choice would you want $50,000 or $175,000? Easy answer right. What if you could have $50,000 to pay for all of your medical bills and lost time from an auto accident or $175,000? Another easy answer right. Now check your auto insurance policy’s No-Fault(also called Personal Injury Protection PIP) section and make sure you have $175,000. If you do not have the full amount please call your agent immediately.

If you are wondering what else your agent has not done for you call me immediately.

My ideas are just that, see the previous post on believing in accountability. Some are fact based some are based on the law some are my own logic. Choosing to use them or not to use them is up to you not me. At the end of it all these are your insurance policies I might just help you buy them smarter.

5/11/2015 Update

All of the above remains true. I would adjust it to say, most are fact based and all are then complimented by;

I believe in accountability. I also know that there are a lot of pretty simple ideas and concepts that if followed can really impact your rates, your coverage and maybe your impression of insurance. Hey if you have to pay for it it might as well be what you want.

5/11/2015 Not much has changed since the original posting date. Still believe and think exactly as written above. The difference is that the industry has shifted and I now have more ways to help improve your coverage and impression of insurance.